Liquid ejector



Aug. 25, 1942. I A, BOYNTQN l 2,293,706

LIQUID EJECTOR Filed May 18, 1939 zob ALEXANDER BOY N TON.l INVENTOR 1 39 v BY Patented ug. 25, 1.942

UN ETED Sg-TTES er oFF-ice LIQUID EJECTOR Alexander Boynton, San Antonio, Tex. Application May 178', 1939, Serial No. 274,364

1). Claims.

My invention relates to means for discharging fluid under pressure through a tube which may be aimed or pointed in any direction for the purpose of expelling shots. or charges of' liquids or gases therefrom.

An object of the invention is to provide@ a gun which may be used to throw slugs of liquid, gas forming, explosive, or otherwise, and of any specific gravity or viscosity, for such purposes as. extinguishing inaccessible res, eroding surfaces, cleaning buildings, cooling roofs, quelling mobs, and subduing criminals, aswell as for use in war, the vdevice being also well adapted to expel and throw intermittent charges of' gas for considerable distances.

A further object. is to provide means for propelling crafts',y torpedoes, or other bodies upon or through water or through the air by intermittently expelling liquids or gases under pressure in.' a backward direction behind them. To Vaccomplish these purposes I' employ a hermeticallyk sealed, pressure responsive assembly including a bellows secured at one end and free at the other' end. Upon the free end of the bellows I attach a valve that controls the discharge l of iiuidsfrom the case. inclosing the bellows. Another valve, mounted upon a sleeve that is also attachedl to theY free end of the bellows by means of suitable connections, controls the flow of fluidsint'o the casewhich houses the bellows. A- coiled spring, somewhat compressed, is 'placed within the bellows to make Yit properly yieldable. A latch is also piaced within thel'bellows assembly to cause snappy valve action. A liquid is` also placed within the bellows to prevent the bellows from being 'damaged by excessive external pressure and to lubricate the latch and other moving parts within the bellows assembly.

Other objects and purposes will be apparent from the accompanying specification and illustrative drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the outer shell and all working parts of a device embodying-the invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectionV ofthe line 2 2,

Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 isV a transverse section on the line. 3-3,

Fig. l.

Fig. 4l is an elevational viewV of one of the elements shown in the construction in Fig. 1.`

Fig. 5 is a longitudinalV section of the base yconnection in the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view, except a boss in Corresponding characters are employed throughout the drawing to indicateand referto corresponding` parts. Different portions of the same part are referred to by-adding a,` b, C., and so on (small letters)` to the number employed to designate the part as ay whole. l Duplicated portions of any part are designated by priming the last letter of reference forthe rst; duplication, double priming the last letterv of referencefor the second duplication.

In briey discussing thej assembly shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed that outershell I has a tcp end Ilz, these parts beingv welded'together at Ib, and that the bottom endY Ie has an upper end I y of reduced diameter whichi's.: pressed intoz the lower end of shell I to which it is weldedatc If. It is evident that case I Vand both of its ends could be made integral of a casting i'fppreferred.

The bottom end Ie' is internally threaded for engagement with the external threads; of Vbase connection 4' having a flange 4d: (Fig. 5') which ange ts within portion ofv enlarged diameter Ih of outer shell I and presses packing 39 upon circnlar shoulder Ig. Within the internal threads of upstandingf portion 5e (Fig. 5.).` the external threads upon the lower end of' inner shell 5 are engaged locking the bottom end of shell 5 upon the oor of recess' 4f and supporting shell 5 centrally within outer shell' I. Over the. upper end of shell 5 external lower extension v6c of valve seat member or cap 6 is threa'dedly engaged, packing 'I compressed by ring.. 82 being employed to make the engagement leak proof.

Cap member 6' hasv a tubular upward extension 5a which nts snugly within a central opening through the end of portion I a upon which is a boss lc externally threadedtoiengage'with packing clamp 3 which forces packinggland 2 dow-n upon packing 130, thereby to form a leak proof engagement between the portions Ial and Ia.

The semicircular upstandingf arms 471', on the base connection 4 (Fig. 5) are internally threaded at their upper ends toengage' the lower external threads of bellows base holder 2`I above which threads a circular downward sloping external shoulder 2Ic engages the downwardly sloping ends @m of the arms 4h. `This Aengagement of these sloping shoulders forces the. semicircular arms 4h. to engage securely within the threads upon the member 2l.

Between the arms 4h longitudinal' slots 4g are provided to receive the armsl IDc of the'valve holder bar Ill within which slots the arms travel to accommodate the stroke of valve ,9.

Latch ring member 2;!) is pressed into the up.-

per shell 2Ia of member 2| and lands upon internal shoulder 2lb. Bellows bottom end connection I9 is then pressed in to land upon the top of segmental projections 29h of member 20 the lower ends of projections 29D contacting the shoulder 2lb by which means the latch ring 28a is securely held and accurately aligned with the axis of the latch shaft 26.

Metallic bellows I8 is welded or soldered to the upper end of member I9 as appears at I9a, and is likewise welded or soldered at I1b to the lower end of reduced diameter I1a of bellows top end connection I1 which is threadedly engaged with the lower extension I5b of valve carrier I5 having a threaded upper extension I5c engaging with the lower tapered portion I4a of upper valve I4. It will be observed that valve stroke adjusting plate I3, which has threaded engagement within the upper end of valve carrier sleeve I I, is locked between the members I4 and I5 and that the valve I4 normally lands upon seat 6e immediately above ports 6d of depending internal extension 6b within which the valve has a working t. Within slots in the lower end of valve carrier sleeve II, both arms |90 of valve holder bar I are welded at Ib, Fig. 3, thus rigidly securing enlarged circular portion lua central of sleeve II. The threaded extension 9b secures valve 9 and bar I together by which engagement valve 9 is aligned with seat 4c.

Interior of the bellows and its connections I and I1 the upper end of latch shaft nipple 25 has threaded engagement with the internal threads in plug 49 which, in turn, is threadedly engaged with the lower internal threads of mem-l ber I1. The nipple is internally threaded at its lower end to engage the threaded upper end 26a of latch shaft 26, the engagement between these members being locked upon shoulder 25h. Over the lower end 26d of this shaft ball roof 21 has a close t and is urged against shoulder 26e by the force of spring 29 urging latch balls 4I and ball oor 23 upward, the latter member having an easy working t over the shaft portion 26d upon the lower end of which nut 3U and lock nut 3| have threaded engagement for the purpose of regulating and securing proper compression of spring 29 the force of which determines the force required to operate the latch.

The oppositely inclined surfaces of ball roof and floor contacting the latch balls urge the balls outwardly; lips 21aI and 28a being to limit the outward movement of the balls. A guide pipe 31 has an easy working iit within the bellows and over spring 34.

A cap 31a has its lower portion of slightly reduced diameter pressed into the upper end of the guide pipe to which it may be further secured by welding as shown at 31h. The upper end of the cap rests upon the plug 49 and the lower end of the guide pipe has a working nt over spring shoe support 32 the foot 32a of which lands upon an internal annular shoulder of the member I9. The top end of member 32 supports the spring bottom shoe 33 the outside diameter of which is somewhat smaller than the inside diameter of pipe 31, the upper spring shoe being supported by cap 31a.

The bellows I8 provides a resilient connection between the members I1 and I9 and a seal for liquid therein. The spring 34, always installed under some compression, is to afford proper resistance to the compression of the pressure responsive assembly and to assure its proper expansion in order that it may be adjusted to actuate the valves at any desired pressure, opening valve I4 and simultaneously closing valve 9 at one pressure exterior of the assembly; and then at a predetermined lower pressure to simultaneously close valve I4 and open valve 9.

The guide pipe 31, polished inside and out, affords a barrier between the spring and bellows thereby preventing the coils of the spring from engaging with corrugations of the bellows as the assembly alternately expands and contracts in operation. It will be noted that the lower end of the guide pipe extends below the bellows and spring 34 in order that the end of this pipe may likewise not engage or be hindered in its free action by the spring coils within or. the bellows corrugations without.

When the valves are adjusted care must be taken that there is left enough room between the lower end of the guide pipe and the foot 32a to allow valve 9 to seat. Strengthening spring 34 will increase this distance, and vice versa, at any particular opening pressure of valve I4'. The purpose of the latch is to afford snappy action of the valves in both directions, that valve movement once begun in either direction will be instantly completed. Spring shoes 33 and 35 over the respective extensions of which spring 34 fits tightly, add to the smoothness and sensitiveness of the latch action by providing bearings to accommodate the slight axial movement of the spring as it contracts or elongates.

Latch shaft 26 should be so adjusted by means of the threads on upper end of nipple 25 engaging within the threads of plug 49 and lock nut 36 that the latch balls 4I will roll slightly over and engage upon the upper arcuate end 20a' of the arc ring 20, see Fig. l, when upper valve I4 is closed and the liquid intake valve is open as shown in Fig. 1. The latch balls should roll slightly under and engage upon .the lower arcuate end 20a. of the arc ring when the liquid intake valve is closed and the upper valve is open. It will be noted that the length of arc ring 20a is such as will allow the latch balls to roll slightly over the curved surfaces 29a and 29a as the valves alternately assume extreme upper and lower positions respectively. Manifestly the further the latch balls roll outward upon the curved surface 20a' the more resistance will be offered by the latch to the opening of upper valve I4 and the closing of the liquid intake valve 9; and likewise the further the latch balls roll outward under curved surface 20a" the more resistance will be offered by the latch to the closing of valve I4 and the opening of valve 9. The latch should be so adjusted as to afford snappy valve action in both directions, it being desired that each valve should close with a slam. Increasing the compression on adjusting spring 29 causes the latch to hold with greater force at a given travel of latch balls over the surfaces 20a and 20a", and vice versa. y It will be understood that the chamber interior of the bellows and its upper and lower extensions are permanently and hermetically sealed by packing ring I6, solder or welds I5e, I1b, I9a, 2 Ie, and by plug 22 pressed in and landed upon shoulder 2 Id where it is further secured by solder 2 If, the hermetical seal of the bellows being completed by plug 23, locking upon packing 24. It is necessary that the bellows be hermetically sealed in order that the bellows assembly will be and remain responsive to external pressures, which is its purpose.

The bellows chamber should be partially filled vwith a lubricant such as oil or glycerine. An air pocket; or partial vacuum 4of `suicient length .must be provided in the chamber above the lubricant to allow the bellows to contract-enough to seat'valve 9 at a, predetermined external pressure upon the bellows.

The spaceV above the lubricant should allow the liquid intake valve to Aclose just before the roof of chamber 15a would impinge upon the lubricant. This provides that the remainder of this space above the lubricant will be closed upon by the outward compression of the bellows corrugations as vthe folds are forced together by external pressure. In this manner the external and internal pressures are kept eq-ua'lexcept for the force required to compress spring 34' and the bellows. The bellows will, therefore, never be ruptured by an external force no matter how great so long as the force required to compress spring 34 is less 'than the force necessary to rupture the bellows. Vertical passage 25a, horizontal openings 25h and 25h" of the latch shaft nipple, slots 26e of latch shaft 126, perforations 32h of the spring shoe support, perforations 3'Ic of the guide pipe 31, and openings 20c of the latch ring member 20 provide for the free circulation of the latch lubricant without which provision the latch operation would be impeded.

In this connection it should be recalled that both valves are secured to valve carrier sleeve I I; the upper valve being secured to this sleeve by plate I 3 locked between the valve and its connection member I5, and the lower valve being secured to bar I which, in turn, is secured to the lower end of sleeve II. It should further be borne in mind that the bellows is held stationary at its lower end by means of the threaded engagement between bellows base holder 2| and member 4 as may be seen in Fig. 1.

The valve stroke may be increased by screwing member 6 upward on shell 5, and vice versa. 'Ihe valve stroke may also be increased by screwing adjusting plugV I 3 downward within sleeve I I, and vice versa. Whether the valve travel be adjusted in one way or the other, it will be necessary to adj-ust the position of the latch balls accordingly by screwing shaft nipple A25 up or down as the case may require.

In` operation, to expel slugs of liquid, boss 4a is iconnected to a pipe line or flexible hose 48 as shown in Fig. 6, the assumed pressure within the hose being 125 lbs. per sq. in., it being further assumed that valve I4 will open, closing valve 9, at 100 lbs. per sq. in., and that valve I4 will close, opening valve 9, at 75 lbs. per sq. in. All space within shell I exterior of the bellows is assumed to be occupied by air at atmospheric pressure.

A'valve, not shown, will now be opened turning Aliquid into hose 48. The liquid enters port 4b, rises between shell 5 and sleeve II, enters through ports IIa, rises in the space between sleeve I I and the bellows, at the same -time going out through .ports 5a and rising in the annular space .between shells I and 5. When the top of the liquid reaches the level L the air above it in spaces is assumed to be under 100 lbs. pressure per sq. in., this being approximately '7 atmospheres at about sea level where we are now supposed to be. At 100 lbs., Vaccording to the stated assumption, the pressure on the upper side of the Ydisc I3 is suciently in excess of that produced on fthe in'ether .side by the `spring 34 and .the latch mechanism .so that the pressure responsive-assembly moves downwardly. By means of this movement of the assembly the valve I4 opens and the valve `9 closes. The pin 9a, of valve 9, is of the same diameter as the opening 4b immediately under the valve seat 4c which t reinforces the valve and valve seat to insure a complete closure of valve 9 when valve I4 is open. The compressed air in space S under lbs. pressure now forces the liquid in the annular space between shells I and 5 downward through openings 5a, upward between shell 5 and sleeve II, through ports 6d (the upper valve being now open) and out through the opening Gf. The discharge .of liquid continues .by the expansion of compressed air in space S until the pressure in space .S is reduced to 75 lbs. per sq. in. at which time the valve I4 closes and valve 9 again opens, thus beginning another cycle. The liquid level is then at L'. These cycles automatically repeat while liquid at more than 100 lbs. pressure per sq. in. is supplied through tube 48.'

It will be seen that the amount of liquid discharged .by each operation is that contained between the levels L and L. If longer liquid slugs are desired than those resulting from turning liquid into the device with atmospheric pressure obtaining within shell I as was described, air or other gas may be placed within shell I through the air valve 38 within air port 47 and boss 4k normally covered by cap I2 (Fig. 5), before the liquid is turned in.

If it is desired to discharge jets of gas, the hose 43 should be connected with the gas supply. If the rate of input gas through hose 48 be less than that which can be discharged through the device, a shot of gas will be fired each time the pressure thereof builds up to the value necessary to spring the latch and open valve I4, which valve will again close as soon as the pressure within shell I drops to 75 lbs.

If it is desired to increase the pressure at which valve I4 will open, give more compression to the bellows spring or install a stronger spring, and vice versa.

Base 45 supported by legs 4to has a cross arm 4ta central of which is Aan upstanding boss 46h within which ts a rod 45 having connection with clamp 42 engaging upon shell I. Bolt 43 and nut 44 provide that the position of the shell may be adjusted vertically. Rod 45 and 4stud 47 provide that the position may vbe adjusted rotatably. It will be understood that the mounting shown is merely illustrative and may be changed in many ways -to suit the particular purpose.

If it be desired to construct the device' to discharge liquid slugs horizontally or downwardly the shell I may be constructed in Vthe form of an inverted T or a cross the upstanding member of which will provide the space S, thereby to prevent the compressed air or gas from being discharged Zafter the slugs 'have been expelled.

The scope and purpose of this invention as illustrated and described, is not intended to be limited to the vdra/wings and speci'cation which will be understood as being diagrammatic `only and set yout by way of example to explain and clarify the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A fluid ejector comprising a housing having a pair of chambers extendinglongitudinally thereof, a passage between the chambers-adjacent one end thereof and forming communication therebetween, an inlet in said end of one of the chambers, an outlet -at the opposite end 'of said chamber, the other tof said chambers being constructed and arranged to form an air chamber, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said inlet, and pressure responsive valve means responsive to pressure variations in the chambers for alternately closing said inlet and outlet whereby the pressure fluid 'is ejected inter-- mittently from the outlet.

2. A fluid ejector comprising a housing having a pair of chambers extending longitudinally thereof, a passage between the chambers adjacent one end thereof and forming communication therebetween, an inlet in said end of one of the chambers, an outlet at the opposite end of said chamber, the other of said chambers being constructed and arranged to form an air chamber, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said inlet, pressure responsive valve means responsive to pressure variations in the chambers for alternately closing said inlet and outlet whereby the pressure fluid is ejected intermittently from the outlet, said last mentioned means including latch means for restraining the valve means against movement until a predetermined force is exerted thereon.

3. A fluid ejector comprising a housing having a pair of chambers extending longitudinally thereof, a passage between the chambers adjacent one end thereof, one of said chambers being closed but for said passage thereby forming an air chamber, an inlet and an outlet at the opposite ends of the other of said chambers, opposed valve seats respectively in said inlet and outlet, a valve assembly within said last mentioned chamber, said assembly including opposed valve members adapted respectively to be moved into engagement with. one or the other of the seats, and pressure responsive means within the valve assembly movable in response to variations of pressure in the chambers for moving the assembly alternately between said seats.

4. A fluid ejector comprising a housing having a pair of chambers extending longitudinally thereof, a passage between the chambers adjacent one end thereof to form an air chamber in one of the chambers, an inlet and an outlet respectively at the opposite ends of the other of said chambers, opposed valve seats respectively in said inlet and outlet, a valve assembly within said last mentioned chamber, said assembly including opposed valve members adapted respectively to be moved into engagement with one or the other of the seats, pressure responsive means within the valve assembly for moving the assembly alternately between said seats, said last mentioned means comprising a fixed member, and a snap action mechanism connecting said member to the assembly so that the valve members are moved alternately by snap action into engagement with their respective valve seats.

5. A fluid ejector comprising a housing having inner and outer chambers therein, an inlet and outlet passage in the bottom and top respectively of the inner chamber, a communicating opening between said chambers adjacent their lower ends whereby the outer chamber forms an air chamber, a valve seat in each of said passages, a valve assembly within the inner chamber, said assembly including opposed valve members adapted respectively to engage one or the other of said seats, means for admitting fluid under pressure to the inlet passage, and means operable in response to variations of pressure in the chambers for moving the valve assembly alternately between said seats Whereby the fluid is ejected in slugs from the outletpassage.

' 6. A iluid ejector comprising outer and inner shells having an air chamber therebetween, valve seats respectively at the top and bottom of the inner shell, there being a. passage through the inner shell to said chamber, a valve assembly within the inner shell, said assembly including valve members adapted to alternately engage said seats upon reciprccation of the assembly, and pressure responsive means for reciprocating the assembly from fluctuations of pressure therein.

'1. A fluid ejector comprising spaced inner and outer tubes hermetically joined by a. plate at one end forming inner and outer chambers, a pressure responsive assembly within the inner chamber, an inlet opening into said inner tube central of said plate, a valve seat surrounding the inner surface of said opening, means exterior of said plate to connect same with a source of fluid under pressure so that such fluid will pass through said inlet and into said inner tube, lateral openings Ain said inner tube proximate said plate, a chamber for gaseous fluid in the space between said tubes beyond said openings -relative to said valve seat, an axial extension of said inner tube continuing through said outer tube at the end most remote from said seat, said extension having an axial passage with a valve seat formed upon its inner end, means for hermetically joining said outer tube and said extension at said remote end, said pressure responsive assembly including a connection on each end thereof, one of said end connections being secured proximate said rst seat, a valve connected to the other of said connections, said valve being engageable with said second seat, a shell surrounding said pressure responsive assembly and secured to the connection on said free end of said assembly, a valve upon the other end of said shell engageable with said first seat, said 'seats being farther apart than said valves and in spaced relation thereto, and a latch within said assembly to delay and to quicken the contraction and expansion movements of said assembly in both directions in order to cause one of said valves to engage one of said seats and then the other valve to engage the other seat for the purpose of alternately admitting fluid into said chambers and expelling same therefrom.

8. In an ejector for alternately intaking and discharging fluids, the combination of two pipes forming two chambers, a pressure responsive assembly, two valves on said pressure responsive assembly adapted to move in unison in one of said chambers, the other of said chambers being arranged to form a pressure chamber, pressure fluid in said pressure chamber, said valves being controlled by said pressure responsive assembly, inlet and outlet openings controlled by said valves so that when one of the valves is open the other is closed, and latching means for first delaying and then hastening the movements of said valves.

9. In an ejector for fluids, an inlet and an outlet at opposite ends of a tube containing a pressure responsive assembly and having a latch therein, said assembly and latch being adapted to control the simultaneous movements of two valves, one valve controlling the lmet and the other controlling the outlet, a pressure fluid chamber Within another tube surrounding said first tube, said chamber being adapted to have the force increased therein by fluid entering said inlet and to have said force decreased by the discharge of fluid through said outlet, said outlet being larger than said inlet for the purpose of causing the force within said chamber to decrease more rapidly When the 'Outletvalve is open and the inlet valve is closed than it will increase when said outlet valve is closed and said inlet valve is open, the intermittent opening of one and the closing of the other of said valves being to intermittently intake and discharge fluid from said ejector.

10. In an ejector for uids having an inlet and an outlet respectively at opposite ends of a tube containing a pressure responsive assembly and having a latch therein, said assembly and latch being adapted to control the simultaneous movements of two valves, one valve controlling the inlet and the other controlling the outlet, a pressure uid chamber within another tube surrounding said rst tube, said chamber being adapted to have the force increased therein by fluid entering said inlet and to have said force decreased by the discharge of fluid through said outlet, said outlet being larger than said inlet for the purpose of causing the force within said chamber to decrease more rapidly when the outlet valve is open and the inlet valve is closed than it will increase when said outlet Valve is closed and said inlet valve is open, the intermittent opening of one and the closing of the other of said Valves being to intermittently intake and discharge` iiuid from said ejector, and means for varying the pressure within said chamber and of varying the force of said latch for the purpose of Varying the volume of such intermittently discharged uid.

ALEXANDER BOYNTON. 

